AROYA Cruises marks 1st year, outlines new 2026 Red Sea, Gulf, and themed cruises

Saudi Arabian homegrown cruise line AROYA Cruises, the Arab world’s first domestic cruise brand, has marked one year since its maiden voyage, and outlined plans to expand its cruise offering in 2026.

The cruise line began operations in December 2024 and has since operated year-round itineraries across the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

Over the course of its first year of operations, AROYA welcomed more than 140,000 guests from Saudi Arabia, the wider GCC, Europe, and Central Asia.

The itineraries, which have combined regional destinations with culturally rooted onboard experiences, attracted a mix of families and individual travellers, with demand reported across both domestic and international markets.

Building on this first year, AROYA confirmed that its 2026 programme will introduce several new sailings and regional deployments.

Among the first additions will be a sports-themed cruise in January, developed in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority and Major Sports Cruises, timed around the Spanish Super Cup.

Scheduled to take place from January 8th to 11th, 2026, the three-day sailing will operate between Jeddah and Yanbu following the tournament’s semi-finals. Football figures Iker Casillas and Patrick Kluivert are expected to be onboard during the voyage, which is designed to combine sporting interest with leisure and cultural elements.

In February 2026, AROYA will also launch its first season in the Arabian Gulf. The new deployment will feature itineraries departing from Dammam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, offering both five- and seven-night cruise options.

The Arabian Gulf season will operate in addition to the line’s established itineraries in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, where itineraries will again include ports in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Greece.

The cruise line also plans to continue its calendar of themed sailings throughout the year. These will include voyages aligned with Saudi Founding Day and Saudi National Day, alongside newly introduced entertainment-led cruises intended to appeal to regional travellers while offering international guests a culturally distinctive experience.

“Today, we are proud to mark one year since AROYA welcomed its first guests onboard,” said Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi. “Our authenticity, and our commitment to delivering a uniquely Arabian experience at every touchpoint, are reflected in the overwhelmingly positive response from our guests.”

“As we look ahead, we are expanding our offering to diversify guest choice and introduce enriching experiences, while further strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position on the global cruise map in alignment with Vision 2030,” he added.

AROYA Cruises was introduced in 2023 under Cruise Saudi, a Public Investment Fund portfolio company, as part of broader efforts to develop Saudi Arabia as a global cruise destination.

The brand forms part of the Kingdom’s tourism strategy, supporting economic diversification and the development of new leisure offerings.

As it enters its second year of operations, AROYA Cruises is positioning its expanded 2026 programme as the next phase in its development, following a first year marked by steady passenger growth, expanded itineraries and increasing regional visibility within the global cruise industry.

The cruise line currently operates a one-ship fleet, with Aroya, the former World Dream, offering passengers 14 dining options, eight lounges and cafés, many of which serve shisha, as well as a range of entertainment, wellness and family-oriented facilities.